James the Footballer – Chapter 1

Fighting Words in association with Pocket Forests, O’Connell’s Primary School, North Richmond Street, Dublin 1, 2nd Class, 9 June 2023

James loved to play football. He was the best striker on his team.

James woke up one morning. He went downstairs with his dog Rocco to get breakfast. He went into the kitchen and made a bowl of Coco Pops and gave some dog food to Rocco.

When James put his bowl upside down in the sink, a tarantula burst out. He went into shock, screamed and fainted. Rocco gave James a medicine pill to wake him up.

James went into the bathroom, brushed his teeth and got ready for school. He got on the bus -  the 123 -  and checked his bag for his homework.

He saw the tarantula in his schoolbag! He realised the tarantula had eaten his homework.

“I will eat you tomorrow,” said the tarantula.

James threw his schoolbag out the window of the bus. But the tarantula was still on the bus – now it was in James’ pocket.

Once he got to O’Connells Primary School, James went to his classroom.

“You’re late. Stage 5: Go to the principal’s office,” said his teacher.

As he walked to the principal’s office, James felt something crawling up his pants leg. It was the tarantula. He screamed and threw it at the principal’s face.

James ran into the yard. Some of the other classes were already playing football. James usually loved to play football at breaktime too.

He ran past one of the new worm hotels. He saw the little toy dinosaur that lived on top of the white lid. James heard a voice.

It was one of the worms – it had crawled on top of the dinosaur.

“Help!” the worm said. “There’s been an invasion of ants and spiders in this hotel. And it’s too dry. I need to save my friends.”

“I will help you get out on one condition,” said James, “Help me with the tarantula.”

Just then, Rocco ran into the yard...